Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Michelle Maule.
Hi Dana Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts on the Northside of Jacksonville! I was raised near Dunn Avenue, in a neighborhood called Biscayne Estates. I graduated from Paxon School for Advanced Studies, and while I started my college career at the University of North Florida, I finished my undergraduate degree in Media Productions at the University of Houston.
When I look at the work I do now and then look back at the path that got me here, I think about the summer roadtrips my grandparents took me on from Florida to Utah. Those trips were my first travel experiences. I think about my mom, who always made sure we knew Black history and had a respect and appreciation for where we came from as a people. My mom also kept me in church, and thats were I learned the power of community service and civic engagement. In my church, which I am still a member of today, I volunteered in food and clothing giveaways, youth programs, Black History Month programs, and dance. What that looks like today is my work as an Ambassador for Visit Jacksonville, the work I do with Northside Pride, the travel documentary I am producing – Moncrief Springs, the Black history art collective I started – Black Jacksonville, and the career I’ve sustained in journalism, marketing, and film.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has not been a smooth road. I’m okay with that. Rough terrain doesn’t feel good, but it develops character and teaches empathy.
Many of my struggles were within. I learned to conquer comparison. That looked like spending a lot of time in prayer asking God to teach me gratitude for where I am and what I have personally and professionally. When I practice graitude, I realize what I have is more than enough. I do a gratitude checklist weekly and if theres someone on that checklist I want to give flowers to, I make sure to tell them how much I appreciate them.
Once I overcame the struggle within I could better cope with struggles that were out of my control like losing jobs that I loved or struggles to finish funding my film project, Moncrief Springs. These kinds of struggles are usually a sign that life is changing course or that I need to pivot in my approach to the task at hand. Struggles aren’t bad. They are signals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a writer, historian, graphic designer, filmmaker and placekeeper. If I had to define my specialization, I would say journalism and media production. I graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in media production, and the first job I got in my field was with Graham Media WJXT News4Jax. I worked as an editor and was promoted to associate producer. I did that for almost 3 years. I have a certification from the University of Central Florida in digital marketing and a certification from Downtown Vision Inc. for placekeeping. These formal education experiences provided technical skills and job readiness. I am currently working on a Master’s Degree program at Savannah State University in public administration with a concentration in non-profit leadership.
My nonprofit work is what I am most known for these days. A year ago, I launched an organization called Northside Pride of Jacksonville. It’s a grass-roots, neighbor-led neighborhood preservation org that focuses on preserving Northside neighborhoods by intersecting economic revitalization, art, placekeeping, tourism advocacy and civic engagement programs.
I am most proud of our Northside Pride bingo card and map! I worked with Hahau Yisrael to develop this tool that shows people how to eat, shop, and explore on Jacksonville’s Northside. He is an experiential graphic designer and has been a friend and a dedicated partner on this project. The bingo card and map are for locals and out-of-town visitors. It is currently being circulated by the City of Jacksonville’s destination marketing office, Visit Jacksonville. The map has 15 Northside destinations that are historic or cultural landmarks, like Mt. Ararat Baptist Church – a Civil Rights landmark where Dr. Martin Luther King preached in 1961. There’s also entertainment and dining on the map, like The Selfie Showroom and Holley’s BBQ.
What sets me apart from others is my bold and unapologetic pride for Jacksonville’s Northside. I challenge the stereotypes people have about my neighborhood by laser-focusing on their fear, and then I dismantle it. How? I document how I enjoy my neighborhood on social media and I bring people with me to enjoy it too. I walk and bike along Myrtle Avenue. I play on the Northside with my kids at Riverview Park and Emmett Reed Park. I own a home on the Northside, too!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The creative industry in Jacksonville is exploding! In 5-10 years, I think we will be in the same conversations as places like Miami, New Orleans and Savannah because of Jacksonville’s network of art studios, museums, and creative spaces. An artist class has emerged in Jacksonville and we all are multifaceted… filmmakers, painters, writers, musicians, photographers. This is in Jacksonville’s DNA! I think about Historic Lavilla, the place that gave us Jame Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. I think about how this entire neighborhood is known for it’s contribution to the Jazz and Blues era of our country, becoming a mecca for performers and artists like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Marion Anderson (the first Black opera singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera – she performed in Jacksonville too).
Jacksonville is the Film Coast… we are the original Hollywood, cemented in film history as the “Winter Film Capital of the World” but also as the city leading in producing Silent Films, which attracted stars like Oliver Hardy; and Race films producing the biggest film with an all colored cast – Flying Aces. We see the tradition of vibrant filmmakers today at film festivals like the LOL Film Festival and the 48 Hour Film Festival, two of the biggest film events in our city in my opinion.
Jacksonville’s music scene is bubbling over too, in every genre – folk, classical, hip-hop and R&B, jazz. If you have ever been to Wine Down Wednesday, Sundown Sundays, or R&B Mostly, you see local musicians performing. There are so many live music spots in Jacksonville. Every side of town has a hub.
The arts are fueled by amazing performing arts public schools that are ranked among the top schools across the state – Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Ft. Caroline Middle,and Lavilla School of the Arts.
Jacksonville’s creative industry is not up next; it’s now!
Pricing:
- Private tours of Historic Durkeeville $40 (includes lunch)
- Black Jacksonville t-shirt $25
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northsidepridejax/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576298363106
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-maule/?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danamichelle_9044
